how big before you go for broke?

[phade]

Simple question...how big score wise would it take for you to go for broke, passing all other deer, even good bucks? Meaning you target one buck and either tag him or pass all other and strike out. Lets keep this to NY for the playing ground.

[Lawdwaz]

Honestly, no buck could make me pass up everything. 

 

I'm not a trophy hunter.  I enjoy all aspects of hunting; the hunt, the kill the processing and the consumption.  Preparing for the hunt, getting together with friends & family etc. are all apart of it also. 

 

It's who I am.  But of course, your mileage may vary............................

Edited September 2, 2013 by Lawdwaz

[ants]

Yeah.... if I knew there was a monster buck in my area, and I had a shot at a big solid 8 or even a nice big 6, I would take it. But thats  me.

Edited September 2, 2013 by ants

[sampotter]

Any other deer would have to be in the same league as the monster. I wouldn't pass one mature deer with the hope of getting a bigger one but I would also probably be hunting the monster more anyway.

[MACHINIST]

its usually whatever trips my trigger at the time.I have passed bucks one year that the last (or maybe even the next) I would loved to have taken.

[Zag]

My general rule is 8pts or better. When I go hunting im looking for a big challenge. I usually will take a doe early and get the immediate pressure off of having meat for the freezer.

[phade]

Any other deer would have to be in the same league as the monster. I wouldn't pass one mature deer with the hope of getting a bigger one but I would also probably be hunting the monster more anyway.

 

League as in age or score, or both?

 

Nothing shabby about a 130-140 8/10 point 4.5-5.5, but compared to say a 180" 5.5, etc. that is on the table or known about, do you pass?

 

I've always wondered at what point do people who do chase age or antlers go for one buck or tag soup. Interesting topic.

[BizCT]

Hunting Putnam County (3N) with just my 1 buck tag (shotgun), if I got a trail cam pic of a 8+ pointer that was over 100", I wouldn't shoot anything smaller than that deer, but I would shoot something close to it. Now if I had a pic of something rare for my area like 140"+, I probably wouldn't shoot any buck unless something very close showed up out of nowhere.

[Kot2B]

Last year I chased a 10 that ended up scoring 120 gross. My best friend shot it opening day of gun after I spent countless hours during bow. I ended up going "broke" I passed a nice 8 and a small 6. Needless to say I loved the hunt but I will never hunt just one deer again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[G-Man]

i never have just 1 on a hit list usually 2-3 min. usually all bow season for them, gun season is more social for me but will hold for the hit list then as well, and muzzloader is time to get a doe for the freezer.

[sampotter]

League as in age or score, or both?

 

Nothing shabby about a 130-140 8/10 point 4.5-5.5, but compared to say a 180" 5.5, etc. that is on the table or known about, do you pass?

 

I've always wondered at what point do people who do chase age or antlers go for one buck or tag soup. Interesting topic.

 

Either or. I would not pass a deer I believed to be 5. They don't come by often.

[chiefbkt]

Ate my buck tags last 2 years. Was waiting for a mid 120's maybe low 130's 9 point to show his face last year. Saw him twice during archery just out of range. Didn't have a single mature buck walk by other than that. So I would say here it would have to be a 120"+ thats at least 3 1/2. Will prob do the same this year unless I see more activity on my cams.

Edited September 3, 2013 by chiefbkt

[Arrow Flinger]

its usually whatever trips my trigger at the time.I have passed bucks one year that the last (or maybe even the next) I would loved to have taken.

Same here. If I don't have meat in my freezer close to the end of the season, and a little buck walks by, he's going down. If I get lucky enough to shoot a doe or 2 early, then I'll wait for the biggun'!

[Doc]

I really don't do the "trophy" thing. Sure if a monster walks by and I get it, I will be very happy. But my hunting really has more to it than just collecting heads for the wall. So to answer the question, there is no buck that could cause me to target just him exclusively. I may spend extra time in an area where he hangs out, but as far as passing up his lesser friends, that isn't really very likely.

[wheelieman]

Biggest 3 bucks on cam get the hit list, unless i see one wounded real bad ill wait till i see one of them, I never shoot does until after  i have filled m buck tag,

[landtracdeerhunter]

Would have to be mature. By mature, 5 1/2 or older. Our standards are also set high by rack size. We operate on this principle, and have for many years.

[phade]

Would have to be mature. By mature, 5 1/2 or older. Our standards are also set high by rack size. We operate on this principle, and have for many years.

 

Is holding out for a 5.5 each year realistic in NY? That's pretty hefty age-wise. Alot of IL, IA, KS, farms green light at 4.5.

 

Good for your group if you can do that and still tag a 5.5 realistically each year. Impressive!

[SplitG2]

Tag soup doesn't taste so good but I have the last 6 years on my NY property(doesn't include doe kills).  It's just my choice but I hold out for a mature buck, could have taken great 2 1/2 year olds but I don't hunt by rack size.  Also, keep in mind I film my hunts and I need to get the shot on film as well.

[Five Seasons]

interesting topic. We have a split g2 monster on cams last year in February and none during the season. Pretty sure he's hanging out on some land that nobody can hunt that is in the vicinity of our property and is probably going on 7 and maybe even starting to decline.

 

However, given the time I have to hunt and the decent amount of other nice deer in the woods it'd be hard for me to pass up nice sized 8's or better. Obviously where we're at in the archery season depends too. I might hold out on a smaller 8 if it's the first few weeks. I have more time on my hands this year than last so I'd like to shoot a nice buck and if all else fails I'll smoke some doe with the shotgun and MZ for the meat.

[16. ga hunter]

no size deer would have me holding out for just him..... not how i was taught if i get a real nice one great i will hunt big ones ie where i have spotted them had encounters ect but i will not hold out for them perse. if i see another buck i like i will take it. hunting solely state lands i shoot what i want when i want. just the way it is.